Salt Lake City has always been some beacon of LGBT friendliness in a state that, as a whole, doesn't seem to be. It almost seems like a polar opposite to it's not too distant neighbor to the south, Provo, home to BYU.

NashRugger saidSalt Lake City has always been some beacon of LGBT friendliness in a state that, as a whole, doesn't seem to be. It almost seems like a polar opposite to it's not too distant neighbor to the south, Provo, home to BYU.

Salt Lake City wasn't always so tolerant. About two decades ago, it was a very conservative city just like most of the rest of Utah.

Ok, so SLC is actually pretty LGBT friendly. Naming 900 South after Harvey Milk is definitely another step forward. It's a pretty prominent thoroughfare with many LGBT businesses. I'm not sure how it could be categorized as a step backwards.

There's also a lesbian mayor, a couple gay council members, a gay state rep, for red Utah that's not bad. It's unsurprising that the measure passed, especially given that the city is now 50%+ non-Mormon and the community is going to foot the anticipated bill so no tax dollars are going to be used to move the state to be a little more LGBT friendly.

It's a move to attract business. That's the main reason.That city and the state as a whole is still conservative majority, I think. Ask a gay high school kid who live there, (I know one, moved from big cities to live there), he will tell you about the attitude of young males toward homosexuality is just the same with any other southern states, unlike cities like in California or NY (his home state). Lots of "faggot", "ah that's so gay", "stop being such a fag", etcMany LGBT people move there because it's a cheaper living with jobs available than big cities like NYC or San Francisco. Pretty much big cities in southern states are like that, Charlotte NC, Atlanta GA, Indianapolis, etc.

NashRugger saidSalt Lake City has always been some beacon of LGBT friendliness in a state that, as a whole, doesn't seem to be. It almost seems like a polar opposite to it's not too distant neighbor to the south, Provo, home to BYU.

Salt Lake City wasn't always so tolerant. About two decades ago, it was a very conservative city just like most of the rest of Utah.

Agreed! I don't recall Salt Lake City being tolerant when Prop 8 was the hot button topic in California.

NashRugger saidSalt Lake City has always been some beacon of LGBT friendliness in a state that, as a whole, doesn't seem to be. It almost seems like a polar opposite to it's not too distant neighbor to the south, Provo, home to BYU.

Salt Lake City wasn't always so tolerant. About two decades ago, it was a very conservative city just like most of the rest of Utah.

I think it is worth applauding when a city is progressive in a backward state. Sure, the backwoods rednecks with their invisible gods will continue to try to impose their theocracy and hate but it takes some effort and willpower and commitment to be liberal in a conservative state. We should applaud when they do. Charlotte and Asheville are liberal in a sea of stupid religious half-wits but they are fighting the good fight. They're fighting for us.